Insulated tote bag for transporting baking pans

ABSTRACT

An insulated tote bag allows a user to tote a plurality of baking pans, such as up to four baking pans, securely with one hand via handle straps. The tote bag can not only provide an easy mode for carrying multiple baking pans, but also can protect a user&#39;s vehicle from spills when the baking pans are carried to a vehicle for transport. The tote bag can keep items warm or cold during transport. The tote bag also allows a user to take necessary condiments and/or utensils, napkins, or potholders in an outside pocket provided on the tote bag. The tote bag can be finished in various styles and designs, as may be desired by the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/525,897, filed Aug. 22, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tote bags and, more particularly, to an insulated tote bag designed to transport multiple baking pans while keeping food warm or cold during transport.

Carrying baking pans to a function can prove difficult, especially when someone needs to carry multiple baking pans. In addition, there are issues with not only carrying the baking pans, but also the pans can spill, for example, inside a vehicle during transport. Finally, when arriving at your destination, when a person has multiple baking pans, it usually takes multiple trips to the vehicle to bring these baking pans to the destination. If the destination takes time to arrive, the items that should be kept warm or cold may not be kept at the best possible temperature.

Conventional pan holders often provide some insulation, but may be designed for only carrying one pan at a time. These conventional pan holders are often made of fabric and can easily stain or be difficult to clean if the contents spill from the baking pans.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved tote for carrying multiple baking pans in an easy to carry and insulated container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tote bag comprises a main body; a front flap at least partially removably attached to the main body, the front flap allowing access to an interior of the tote bag when the front flap is partially detached from the main body; a closure for securing the main body to the front flap; and a handle permitting carrying the tote bag, wherein the tote bag is adapted to carry multiple stacked baking pans therewithin, and the main body and front flap are formed from an insulated material.

In another aspect of the present invention, a tote bag comprises a main body; a washable outer layer disposed on an exterior of the main body; a front flap at least partially removably attached to the main body, the front flap allowing access to an interior of the tote bag when the front flap is partially detached from the main body; a zipper for securing the main body to the front flap; a handle permitting carrying the tote bag; and a pocket formed in the front flap on an exterior of the tote bag, wherein the tote bag is adapted to carry multiple stacked baking pans therewithin, and the main body and front flap are formed from an insulated material.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulated tote bag showing a plurality of baking pans stored therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insulated tote bag of FIG. 1 with a forward flap detached to permit easy access to the baking pans stored therein; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulated tote bag that allows a user to tote a plurality of baking pans, such as up to four baking pans, securely with one hand via handle straps. The tote bag can not only provide an easy mode for carrying multiple baking pans, but also can protect a user's vehicle from spills when the baking pans are carried to a vehicle for transport. The tote bag can keep items warm or cold during transport. The tote bag also allows a user to take necessary condiments and/or utensils, napkins, or potholders in an outside pocket provided on the tote bag. The tote bag can be finished in various styles and designs, as may be desired by the user.

The tote bag of the present invention can be used by anyone who caters, plans a picnic, tailgates, or caries food to a party or family gathering, particularly at the holidays, for example. The tote bag can carry multiple baking pans with ease and the pans will still be warm (or cool, if desired) upon arrival and multiple baking pans can be carried with one hand.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a tote bag 10 can include a main body 12 that attaches to a forward flap 14. A zipper 28 can be used to secure the forward flap 14 to the main body 12. The zipper 28 can also close the tote bag 10 by extending along the top of the tote bag 10. A zipper pull 30 can be used to move the zipper 28. A zipper tab 32 can be provided along an upper edge of the tote bag 10. Other attachment mechanisms can also be used to make this connection, such as hoop and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like.

A handle 16 can form a loop at the top of the tote bag 10 for carrying the tote bag 10. In some embodiments, the handle 16 can be stitched to both sides of the tote bag 10 and two loops can be used to carry the tote bag 10. In some embodiments, the handle 16 can loop around the tote bag 10 and form two loops on each side of the tote bag 10.

A pocket 18 can be formed in the exterior of the tote bag 10. For example, the pocket 18 can be formed from a piece of fabric stitched on three sides to the tote bag 10. The opening can have a closure, such as a hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, a zipper, or the like. Utensils 22 or other items can be stored in the pocket 18.

When dishes, such as baking pans 20, are closed in the tote bag 10, thermal energy 24 can be deflected by the inside of the tote bag 10, providing insulation features to the tote bag. A stability board 26 can be removably placed on the bottom of the tote bag 10 to provide stability to the baking pans 20 carried in the tote bag 10. Additional stability boards 26 can be provided in between baking pans 20 when multiple baking pans are transported in the tote bag 10.

The tote bag 10 can include an insulation fabric 34, such as a Thinsulate® brand fabric for providing insulation to the tote bag 10. An outer layer 36 of the tote bag 10 can be washable for ease of cleaning.

The tote bag 10 of the present invention can be made in various sizes. Typically, the tote bag 10 can be sized from about 8 to about 12 inches wide, typically about 11 inches wide, and from about 8 to about 16 inches long, typically about 14 inches long. The tote bag 10 can be from about 10 to about 20 inches high, typically about 16 inches high, allowing stacking of from about 3 to about 5 baking pans. The tote bag 10 can be designed for different baking pans, typically for a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A tote bag comprising: a main body; a front flap at least partially removably attached to the main body, the front flap allowing access to an interior of the tote bag when the front flap is partially detached from the main body; a closure for securing the main body to the front flap; and a handle permitting carrying the tote bag, wherein the tote bag is adapted to carry multiple stacked baking pans therewithin, and the main body and front flap are formed from an insulated material.
 2. The tote bag of claim 1, further comprising a washable outer layer.
 3. The tote bag of claim 1, wherein the closure is a zipper.
 4. The tote bag of claim 1, further comprising a pocket formed in the front flap on an exterior of the tote bag.
 5. The tote bag of claim 1, therein the handle is disposed about a bottom and side portion of the tote bag.
 6. The tote bag of claim 1, further comprising a stability board removably disposed on a bottom interior of the tote bag.
 7. The tote bag of claim 3, further comprising an upper zipper tab disposed along an upper edge of the zipper.
 8. A tote bag comprising: a main body; a washable outer layer disposed on an exterior of the main body; a front flap at least partially removably attached to the main body, the front flap allowing access to an interior of the tote bag when the front flap is partially detached from the main body; a zipper for securing the main body to the front flap; a handle permitting carrying the tote bag; and a pocket formed in the front flap on an exterior of the tote bag, wherein the tote bag is adapted to carry multiple stacked baking pans therewithin, and the main body and front flap are formed from an insulated material.
 9. The tote bag of claim 8, therein the handle is disposed about a bottom and side portion of the tote bag.
 10. The tote bag of claim 8, further comprising a stability board removably disposed on a bottom interior of the tote bag. 